How to Overcome Pride
In my last post, I highlighted the meaning of pride and five (5) signs of ‘unhealthy pride’. I call it unhealthy pride because pride in its good sense as I earlier stated, means self-confidence or self-esteem derived from a sense of fulfillment. Overcoming pride is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. The pride to overcome here is that negative attitude that arises from an irrational feeling of self- accomplishment. It brings about a sense of superiority above others and this makes it difficult for the proud man to consider others’ opinion above his.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Effects of Pride
Pride is a sin against God and like any other sin, it degenerates.
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It fuels impatience: He finds it difficult to patiently consider the opinion of others because he believes he has the best answer and others are simply babbling.
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A proud person hardly learns because he is stuck to his ideas alone since they are perfect in his eyes. As other ideas come in, so his impatience increases and soon he becomes angry. Anger, when fully grown could yield more dangerous consequences.
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Pride carries a repulsive force that pushes people away.
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Pride leads to downfall: People quickly loose regard for arrogant people because they tend to look down on others and of course no one wants to be despised. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
If a lasting solution to a problem is to be found, it has to be cured from the source. All the manifestations of pride come from within. The Bible says from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34-35, Matt 15:18-20). This means in overcoming pride, you have to maintain purity of heart. The Psalmist said ‘Search me o God and know my heart… (Ps 139:23). First of all, you need to examine yourself for traces of any of the manifestations earlier stated in the previous post. (Note: The list is not exhaustive of all symptoms of pride)
Having done that, you might have seen one or more of these attributes that you possess and have never considered it amounts to pride. Remember, that admittance is the first step forward. Do not fight it. Accept that you have erred, probably ignorantly.
Ask God for forgiveness and genuinely repent of it by changing the old ways:
- Be not wise in your own eyes (Prov 3:7)
- Consider the opinions of others (Prov 3:5b). Wisdom demands that you only take decisions after carefully analyzing the pros and cons of other options.
- Sometimes you have to let go of your opinions even when they seem better and allow that of others to supersede- that defines submission. God values it (I Pet 3:4)
- Stay open to constructive criticism because it defines a better personality. Everyone needs to be checked; David, a man after God’s heart was not excluded. Nathan corrected him and he accepted gracefully without shifting blames or justifying himself (II Sam 12:1-13).
- Avoid unhealthy comparisons and competitions. 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
- Try as much as possible to be happy at the success of others and ask God for your success; it does not necessarily have to come the same way it came for the other person. Be thankful for what you have, trusting God for more. It is a sin to be happy at the downfall of others. Don’t always expect to have the best of everything. Do not think that nobody can be better than you; somebody, even much younger than you, can be better.
- Learn to say “I’m sorry” and “thank you” often; it keeps relationships going.
- Exercise patience. Be more attentive and slow to anger. James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time (I Pet 5:6).
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Have a blessed day.
